Condenser



GONDENSER Original Filed Nov. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l f 5 a.....,g ||m23 I 24 29 2s 1: T 2 2: /l6

3" 4 nllllllllm v WITNESS. I v INVENTOR 5 v J.P.Lidiak GAQLM ATTORNEYFeb. 16, 1932.

CONDENSER Original Filed Nov. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 oooooouo00000090000 0 o 2 o O o O O O O 0 V n O F" .6. Y 3 IN\LENTOR J.P.Li iakBY (1.43, M

ATTORNEY F" .4- WITNESS Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNETED ldllES earsnai"OFFICE aosnrn r. LrnrAK, or ansnownn, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNon. r0WESTINGEOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING con rary, a conroaa'r ou orPENNSYLVANIA CQ SEB Application filed November My invention relates toapparatus for condensing gaseous media and particularly to apparatus ofthe surface type intended pri: marily for condensing steam and it hasfor an object to provide apparatus of the charac ter designated whichshall be so constructed and arranged as to effectively utilize theentire cooling surface of the apparatus in order that it may operatewith a. very high heat transfer rate.

It has for a further object to provide a con denser of the surface typeand of relatively large capacity which shall be provided withintermediate tube-supporting sheets so arranged as to permit freecirculation of gaseous media within the condenser shell longitudinallyof the tube nest.

It has for still another object to provide a condenser which shall be soarranged as to provide for distribution of steam internally of the tubenest.

It has for still another object to provide a condenser of thesingle-pass type which shall be soarranged as to provide for thecirculation of steam and non-condensable gaseous media longitudinallyover a portion of the tube nest and in a direction from the warm, orcooling water outlet end of the condenser,

toward the cold, or cooling water inlet end of the condenser. 7

It has for still another object to provide .a condenser of the foregoingcharacter which shall have a novel structure for supporting the tubenest intermediate of its ends, which supporting structure shall be soarranged that the steam and air moving longitudinally from therelatively warm end of the condens r toward the relativelycold endthereof shall travel such a path or route as to insure ample transfer ofheat to the tube nest, whereby the steam movinglong'itudinally iscondensed and the air moving longitudinally is effectively cooled.

it has for a further object to provide a condenser of the foregoingcharacter which shall he so constructed and arranged as to provide forthe removal of non-condensable gaseous media from the cold end thereof'andwhich shall be of the radial flow type in that the steam entersthetube nest about-the greater 4 929 Seria1 N0. 404,?09. Renewed March31, 1931.

portion of its periphery and the air and noncondensable gases arewithdrawn, laterally,

from an interior portion of the tube nest.

These and other objects are effected by my invention, as will beapparent from the folm lowing description and claims taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, in section, showing one form of condenserarranged in accord ance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, in sectional elevation, of the condenser shown in Fig.1 with the tube nest removed; 7

Figs. 3, 4L and 5 are transverse, sectional views taken on the linesIII.III, IV.IV and V V of Fig. 1, respectively, the tube nest havingbeen omitted from Fig. 5; and,

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the intermediate tube-supportingsheets.

In condensers of large capacities which are necessarily quite long, somemeans must be provided for supporting the tube nest inter.- mediate oftheir ends and it has been the practive for many years to providelongitudinally spaced intermediate supporting sheets, which intermediatesupporting sheets prevent objectionable sagging or vibration of thecondenser tubes. However, such inter.-

mediate tubesupporting sheets may seriously 489 interfere with the freeand natural longitudinal circulation of'theg-ases in the condenser shellfrom the warmend, or region of relatively low heat head, to the cold endor region of relatively high heat head. It has been proposed to utilizethe intermediate tube.- supporting sheets to completely sectionalize thecondenser and thus .entirely destroy or prevent the aforcsaid'naturaltendency for the gases to circulate longitudinally from the c warmtoward the cold end. In .contradistinction to the foregoing, I haveconceived tween :the respective condenser sections, as 30 defined by thelongitudinally-spaced tubesupporting sheets, as will allow the gases toassume their natural tendency to flow from the warm toward the cold end.Furthermore, my condenser structure is so arranged that the gases, inassuming this general direction of circulation, traverse a substantialportion of the tube nest surface, whereby their condensable componentsare condensed and the non-condensable components are effectively cooled.Furthermore, the non-condensable gases are preferably withdrawn rom thecold end of the condenser or terminus point of the natural circulationheretofore referred to and, hence, the non-condensable gases are removedfrom the condenser at the lowest possible temperature.

More particularly, I so arrange the tube nest as to provide alongitudinally-extending lane in the latter, which lane provides forlongitudinal distribution of the steam after it has penetrated a portionof the tube nest and before it has penetrated the entire tube nest. Incondensers of the larger capacities, intermediate tube-supporting sheetsare necessarily provided and I therefore so arrange these intermediatetube-supporting sheets that they embody openings of substantialflow-area in order that the natural longitudinal distribution of thesteam throughout the length of the lane may not be interfered with.

In addition, I prefer to so arrange my condenser that, after the gaseousmedia has penetrated nearly the full depth of the tube nest, theremaining non-condensed gaseous media is allowed to circulatelongitudinally from the warm or circulating water outlet end of thecondenser, which end has a relatively low heat head, to the cold orcirculating water inlet end of the condenser, which end has arelativelyhigh heat head. This circulation provides for a second longitudinaldistribution of the gaseous media, thus rendering the entire tube nestas effective as possible, and, inasmuch as the air or non-condensablegaseous media is withdrawn from the cold end of the condenser, thetemperature of the latter is reduced to a minimum. 7

Referring now to the drawings, I show a condenser having a shellstructure 10 provided with an inlet 11 for steam to be condensed and anoutlet 12 for the liquid or condensed media. Secured to each end of theshell structure 10 is a' tube sheet 13 and extending longitudinallythrough the shell er portion of, the tube nest 14:.

Secured to one of the tube sheets 13 is an inle't'water box 16 providedwith an inlet connection 17 while, secured to the other tube sheet 13,is an outlet water box 18 provided with a circulating water outlet 19.In the present embodiment, the condenser is of the single-pass type andhence the water boxes 16 and 18 are so constructed and arranged that thecooling water passes longitudinally through the tubes of the nest let ina single direction. Such a condenser is generally referred to as acondenser of the single-pass type.

As stated heretofore, in condensers of the larger capacities, it isessential that some means be provided for supporting the tubes of thenest at points located intermediate of the end tube sheets 13 and,hence, in the present embodiment, I show a plurality oflongitudinally-spaced tube-supporting sheets 21 extending transverselyof the shell structure and having an outer contour generally similar tothe outer contour of the tube nest 14. Preferably, the intermediatetube-supporting sheets 21 have their peripheral edges spaced from theside walls of the shell structure or from both the bottom wall as wellas the side walls of the shell structure in order that the entirelongitudinal length of the tube nest may freely communicate, through theintervening steam delivery space 15, with the steam inlet 11.

The intermediate tube-supporting sheets 21 may be said to divide thetube nest into a plurality of sections 22, 23, 24- and 25, the section22 adjacent the inlet water bo-x being referred to as the relativelycold section and the section 25 adjacent the outlet water box 18 as arelatively warm section. As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, thetube nest is so arranged as to comprlse an outer annular group of tubes26 and an inner cylindrical group 27, the two groups being spaced fromeach other so as to provide a longitudinally-extending lane 28. Thislane provides for longitudinal circulation and d1str1bution of thegaseous media after it has penetrated a portion of the depth of the tubenest. In order that such longitudinal circulation may not be interferedwith by the intermediate tube-supporting sheets 21, the latter areprovided with circumferentially-extending openings 29, which openingsregister with the lane 28 and cooperate therewith to provide free anduninterrupted longitudinal circulation of gaseous media throughout thelength of the tube nest.

As shown particularly in Figs. 2., 3 and 4, what I term, an air box 31extends longitudinally throughout the condenser shell in an interiorportion of the tube nest. The air box 31 is supported by an air offtakepipe 39 and a bracket 40. The air oiftalre pipe 39 is preferably locatednear the cold end of the condenser. The air box 31 serves as asupporting structure for a shroud 32,- which shroud 'is arranged tocover an internal group 33 of the tube nest. All of the tubes of thenest are supported by the, intermediate tube-supporting sheets 21 exceptthe group 33 which extends through suitable openings 34 provided in eachof the intermediate tube-supporting sheets. The openings 34 afford freelongitudinal circulation of gaseous media throughout the length of thecondenser shell after it has penetrated substantially all of the tubenest with the exception of the tubes of group 3.3.

However, inasmuch as each tube of the tube nest must be supported atseveral points between the end tube sheets, I associate with eachintermediate tube-supporting sheet 21 first and second partialintermediate tubesupporting sheets 35 and 36. As will be apparent fromFigs. 1- and 2, the partial sheets 35 and 36 are spaced, respectively,longitudinally from their associated intermediate tubesupporting sheets21 as well as from each other. In addition, the partial sheets 35 arearranged to support only the central and outer tubes of the group 33while the partial sheets 36 support the remaining 0r intermediate tubesof the group 33. In this way, all tubes of the group 33 are properlysupported intermediate of the end tube sheets while, at the same time,longitudinal circulation of gaseous media over the tubes of the group 33is freely permitted. By providing a staggered arrangement of the partialtube sheets such as disclosed in the present application, the gaseousmedia circulating longitudinally through the condenser is given aslightly tortuous direction of circulation, thus assuring more intimatecontact. with the cooling surface of the tube nest. The, partial sheets35 and 36 are preferably supported from the shroud 32, from which theydepend.

The greater portion of the air box 31 merely serves as a supportingstructure for the shroud 32 and the partial sheets 35 and 36. However,near the cold end of the condenser I provide a transversely-extendingwall 37 within the air box so as to form, with the end wall of the airbox, a passageway extending between air inlets 38, located on each sideof the cold end of the upper portion of the air box, and the air ofitakepipe 39.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved condenserwill be apparent. Steam to becondensed enters the shell structurethrough the inlet 11 and surrounds the tube nest in the steam deliveryspace 15. Steam is drawn radially inward in each of the, sections 22 to25, inclusive, from the perimeter of the tube nest toward the innergroup 33 of the nest. It first traverses the outer,'annular group oftubes 26 and, in its passage thereacross, a portion of the steam iscondensed and the condensate falls to the lower portion of the shellstructure and is removed through the outlet 12. The steam .which is notcondensed by the outer annular group 26 enters the lane 28 and, inasmuchas this lane affords a substantially uninterrupted path of travellongitudinally of the entire tube nest, there is a natural tendency forthe steam to shift or How through this lane in a direction from theregion of relatively low heat head, that is, the outlet water box end ofthe condenser, to the region of relatively high heat head, that is, theinlet water box end of the condenser. In this way, the cold end of thecondenser is fully utilized. In this connection, it is noted that theaforesaid shifting may result in some of the steam which has traversed,for example, the annular, outer group of tubes 26 in the tube nestsection 25 may, for example, traverse the inner cylindrical group 27 inthe tube nest section 24. Thus, longitudinal shifting and distributionof the gaseous media after it has penetrated a portion of the tube nestis assured.

The gaseous media then traverses radially across the inner group oftubes 27 and further condensation is efiected. The condensate thuscreated falls upon the upper surface of the shroud 32 and dripstherefrom to the lower portion of the shell structure. The gaseous mediawhich has not now been condensed, enters the final or internal group oftubes 33 and circulates in a longitudinal direction over this group oftubes from the Warm end of the condenser toward the cold end thereof. Inthis way, there is a second longitudinal distribution of the steam inaccordance with the unit condensing capacity of the various portions ofthe tube nest. During longtiudinal circulation through the group oftubes 33, all of the steam still contained in the gaseous media iscondensed, while, the remaining non-condensable gaseous media or air hasits temperature constantly reduced as it approaches the inlet end of thecondenser.

The air finally enters the inlets 38 and is removed from the condenserthrough the outlet 39.

In its longitudinal circulation from the warm toward the cold end of thecondenser overthe group of tubes 33, the gaseous media passes throughthe cut-away portion provided in the partial tube sheets 36, through theopenings 34 provided in the intermediate tube-supporting sheets andthrough the cutaway portions provided in the partial tube sheets 35. Thearrangement is such that the group of tubes 33 is properly supported atpoints intermediate of the end tube sheets,

while, free circulation of the gaseous media longitudinally thereover isnot interfered with. As will be apparent, the gaseous media entering thegroup of tubes 33 from each of the respective sections 22 to 25,inclusive, moves in a direction toward the adjacent and colder tube nestsection. As the steam is condensed, it falls to the bottom. of the shellstructure, while the air continues to circulate 33 affords a'second andfinal distribution.

toward the inlets 38 or region of minimum temperature. The lane 28provides an initial longitudinal distribution of the steam while thespace associated with the group of tubes In this way, the entire tubesurface is rendered highly active.

Although in the present embodiment, I show a type of radial flowcondenser wherein the steam delivery space 15 surrounds the entireperiphery of the tube nest, nevertheless, it is to be understood that Imay construct radial flow condensers in accordance with my inventionwherein the steam delivery space does not extend entirely or completelyaround the tube nest. Furthermore, it will be obvious that my invention,in its broader as pects, is not confined to condensers of the radialflow type, but that it may be applied to various other types ofcondensers in order to provide for the free and natural distribution ofthe steam and gaseous media througln out the longitudinal length of thetube nest. In addition, while I have shown a condenser of thesingle-pass type, the broad inventive ideas which I have suggested mayalso be applied to condensers of the multi-pass type and, while I haveshown an embodiment wherein longitudinal steam distribution is twiceeffected, I may, in condensers of very large capacities, provide forefiecting longitudinal distribution more than twice.

WVhile I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specificallyset forth in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, meansfor withdrawing air from the shell structure, an inlet water boxassociated with one end of the shell structure and defining a cold endthereof and an outlet water box associated with the other end of theshell structure and defining a warm end thereof, a single-pass tube nestextending longitudinally between the water boxes, said tube nestembodying first and second groups of tubes, the first group beingdisposed adj acent the gaseous media inlet and the second group adjacentthe air withdrawal means and said groups being spaced, transversely,from each other so as to form an intervening passageway' extendinglongitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation of gaseousmedia from the warm toward the cold end of the shell structure.

2. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, meansfor withdrawing air from the shell structure, a tube nest extendinglongitudinally through the shell structure, a tube sheet and an inletwater box associated with one end of thetube nest and defining a coldend thereof, a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with theother end of the shell structure and defining a warm end thereof, saidtube nest embodying first and second groups of tubes, the first groupbeing disposed adjacent the gaseous media inlet and the second groupadjacent the air withdrawal means and said groups being spaced,transversely, from each other so as to form an intervening passagewayextending longitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation ofgaseous media from the warm toward the coldend of the condenser, andtube sheet or sheets disposed intermediate of the end tube sheets forsupporting the tube nest and dividing the latter, longitudinally, into aplurality of sections, said intermediate sheet or sheets being providedwith openings for affording free communication between thelongitudinally-extending passageways of adj acent tube nest sections.

In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inlet forgaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, an inletwater box associated with one end of the shell structure and defining acold end thereof, an outlet water box associated with the other end ofthe shell structure and defining a warm end thereof, means forwithdrawing air from the cold end of the shell structure, and asingle-pass tube nest extending longitudinally between the water boxes,said tube nest embodying first and second groups of tubes, the firstgroup being disposed adjacent the gaseous media inlet and the secondgroup adjacent the air withdrawal means and said groups being spaced,transversely, from each other so as, to form a passageway interveningbetween the gaseous media inlet and the air withdrawal means andextending longitudinally of the shell structure for the circulation ofgaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of the shell structure.

4. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, meansfor withdrawing air from the shell structure, an inlet water boxassociated with one end of the shell structure and defining a cold endthereof, an outlet water box associated with the other end of the shellstructure and defining a warm end thereof, and a single-pass tube nestextending longitudinally between the water boxes, said tube nestembodying internal and external groups of tubes spaced from each otherso as to form a passageway intervening between the gaseous media inletand the air withdrawal means and extending longitudinally of the shellstructure for the longitudinal circulation of gaseous media.

5. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media tobe condensed and an outlet for condensate, means forwithdrawing air from the shell structure, an inletwater box associatedwith one end of the shell structure and defining a cold end thereof, anoutlet water box associated with the other end of the shell structureand defining a warm end thereof, and a single-pass tube nest extendinglongitudinally between the water boxes, said tube nest embodying asubstantially annular outer section and a substantially cylindricalinner section, the outer periphery of the annular section being spacedfrom the side walls of the shell structure so as to form an interveningsteam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion of the tube nestand the inner periphery ofv the annular group being spaced from theouter periphery of the cylindrical group so as to form an interveningpassageway extending longitudinally of the shell structure for thecirculation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of theshell structure.

6. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, meansfor withdrawing air from the shell structure, a tube sheet and an inletwater box associated with one end of the shell structure and defining acold end thereof, a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated withthe other end of the shell structure and defining av warm end thereof, asingle-pass tube nest extending between the tube sheets, said tube nestembodying a substantially annular outer section and a substantiallycylindrical inner sect-ion, the outer periphery of the annular sect-ionbeing spaced from the sidewalls of the shell structure so as to form anintervening steam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion ofthe tube nest and the inner periphery of the annular group being spacedfrom the outer periphery of the cylindrical group so as to form anintervening passageway extending longitudinally of the shell structurefor the circulation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold endof the shell structure, and tube sheet or sheets located intermediate ofthe end tube sheets for supporting the tube nest and dividing thelatter, longitudinally, into a plurality of sections, said intermediatetube sheet or sheets being provided with an opening or openings foraffording free circulation of gaseous media between thelongitudinally-extending passageways of adjacent sections, and means forwithdrawing air fro-m the cold end of the cylindrical group of the tubenest.

7. In a single-pass condenser, the combination of a shell structurehaving an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet forcondensate, a tube sheet and an inlet water box located at one end ofthe shell structure and a tube sheet and an outlet water box located atthe other end of the shell structure, said inlet water box defining acold end of he condenser and said outlet water box a warm end thereof,air withdrawal means connecting with the shell structure and having aninlet located, longitudinally, near the cold end of the condenser and,transversely, in spaced relation with respect to the gaseous mediainlet, and a single-pass tube nest disposed in the shell structurebetween the gaseous media inlet and the inlet of the air withdrawalmeans, said tube nest being so formed as to provide an internal laneextending longitudinally of the shell structure and locatedtransversely, intermediate of the entrant and discharge peripheries ofthe tube nest for the passage of gaseous media in a direction from thewarm end of the shell structure toward the coldend thereof.

8. In a single-pass condenser, the combination of a shell structurehaving aninlet for gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet forcondensate, a tube sheet and an inlet water box located at one end ofthe shell structure and a tube sheet and an outlet water box located atthe other end of the shell structure, said inlet Water box defining acold end of the condenser and said outlet water box a warm end thereof,air withdrawal means connecting with the shell structure and having aninlet portion disposed in spaced relation, transversely, with respect tothegaseous media inlet, a single-pass tube nest disposed in the shellstructure between the gaseous media inlet and the inlet portion of theair withdrawal means, said tube .nest being so formed as to provide aninternal lane extending longitudinally of the shell structure andlocated transversely, intermediate of the entrant and dischargeperiphcries of the tube nest for the passage of gaseous media from thewarm end of the shell structure toward the cold end thereof, and a tubesheet located intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting thetube nest, said intermediate tube-supporting sheet being provided withan opening or openings forming a portion of saidlongitudinally-extending lane. 9. In a condenser, the combination of ashell structure having an inlet for gaseous media to be condensed and anoutlet for condensate, a tube nest extending longitudinally of the shellstructure, an inlet water box and a tube sheet located at one end of thetube nest and defining a cold end thereof and an outlet Water box and atube sheet associated with the other end of the tube nest and defining awarm end thereof, and means for withdrawing air from an interior portionof the tube nest and from the cold end thereof,

said tube nest being so formed as to provide passageway means extendinglongitudinally of the shell structure for the passage of gaseous mediafrom' the warm end of the shell structure toward the cold end and saidpassageway means being located, transverse ly, between the periphery ofthe tube nest and the air withdrawal means.

10. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a tubenest extending longitudinally of the shell structure, said tube nestbeing spaced from the side walls of the shell structure so as to definean intervening steam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion ofthe tube nest, a tube sheet and inlet water box associated with one endof the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and a tube sheet andoutlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest anddefining a warm end thereof, means for withdrawing air from an interiorportion of the tube nest and from the cold end thereof, said tube nestbeing so formed as to provide a substantially cylindrical,longitudinally extending passageway for the circulation of gaseous medialongitudinally from the warm end toward the cold end of the condenser,and said passageway being located, transversely, intermediate of the airwithdrawal means and the perimeter of the tube nest.

11. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a tubenest extending longitudinally of the shell structure, said tube nestbeing spaced from the side walls of the shell structure so as to definean intervening steam delivery space surrounding a substantial portion ofthe tube nest, a tube sheet and inlet water box associated with one endof the tube nest and defining a cold end thereof and a tube sheet and anoutlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest anddefining a warm end thereof, means for withdrawing air from an interiorportion of the tube nest and from the cold end thereof, said tube nestbeing so formed as to provide a substantially cylindrical,longitudinallyextending passageway for the circulation of gaseous medialongitudinally from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser, and

7 said passageway being located, transversely,

intermediate of the air withdrawal means and the perimeter of the tubenest, and a tube sheet located intermediate of the end tube sheets forsupporting the tube nest, said intermediate tube-supporting sheet beingprovided with an opening or openings of substantial flow area andforming a part of said longitudinally-extending passageway.

12. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a nestof cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, atube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end of the tubenest and a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with theother'end of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged to providefor the circulation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal directionthrough the tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end ofthe condenser and said outlet water box a warm end of the condenser,means for withdrawing air from the cold end of the tube nest, and tubesheet or sheets located intermediate of the end tube sheets forsupporting a portion of the tube nest, said intermediate tube sheet orsheets being provided with an opening or openings extending about aninternal group of tubes of the nest for afi'ording longitudinalcirculation of gaseous media from the warm toward the cold end of thecondenser and over said group of tubes, and means for supporting thetubes passing through said opening or openings intermediate of the endtube sheets.

13. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a nestof cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, atube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end ofthe tubenest and a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the otherend of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged to provide for thecirculation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction throughthe tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end of thecondenser and said outlet water box a warm end of the condenser, meansfor withdrawing air from the cold end of the tube nest, tube sheet orsheets located intermediate of the end tube sheets for supporting thetubes of the nest, said intermediate tube sheet or sheets each having anopening of substantial flow area through which a group of tubes of thenest extends and which opening or openings afford longitudinalcirculation of gaseous media through the tube nest, and means locatedbetween the end tube sheets and independent of the intermediate tubesheet or sheets for supporting the group of tubes passing through saidopening or openings.

14. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a nestof cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, atube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end of the tubenest and a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the otherend of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged to provide for thecirculation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction throughthe tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end of thecondiate tube sheet or sheets having internal opening or openingsthrough which an internal group of tubes of the nest extends, saidopening or openings affording longitudinal circulation of gaseous mediaover said group of tubes in a general direction from the cold end of thecondenser toward the warm end of the condenser, means independent ofsaid intermediate supporting sheets for support-- ing said group oftubes between the end tube sheets, and means for withdrawing air fromthe tube nest near the cold end of said group of tubes.

15. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a nestof cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure,said nest of tubes being spaced from the side walls of the shellstructure so as to form an intervening steam delivery space surroundingasubstantial portion of the tube nest, a tube sheet and an inlet waterbox associated with one end of the tube nest and a tube sheet and anoutlet water box associated with the other end of the tube nest, saidwater boxes being arranged to provide for the circu lation of coolingwater in a single, longitudinal direction through the tube nest andsaidinlet water box defining a cold end of the condenser and said outletwater box a warm end of the condenser, tube sheet or sheets locatedintermediate of the end tube sheet for supporting tubes of the nest,said intermediate tube sheet or sheets being provided with an opening oropenings extending about a group of tubes located in a substantiallycentral portion of the nest, said opening or openings aifordingcirculation of gaseous media over said group of tubes in a generaldirection from the warm toward the cold end of the condenser, meanslocated between the end tube sheets and independent of the intermediatetube sheets for supporting said group of tubes, and means forwithdrawing air from a central portion of the tube nest and near thecold end thereof.

16. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a nestof cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, atube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end of the tubenest and a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the otherend of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged to provide for thecirculation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction throughthe tube nest and said inlet water box defining a cold end of thecondenser and said outlet water box a warm end of the condenser, mainintermediate tube sheet or sheets dividing the tubenest,'longitudinally, into a plurality of sections, longitudinallyaligned openings provided in the main intermediate tube sheets foraffording a longitudinal circulation of gaseous media through the tubenest in a direction from the warm end of the condenser toward the coldend thereof, partial intermediate tube sheets spaced longitudinally'fromthe main intermediate tube sheets for sup-porting the tubes passingthrough said opening or openings, said partial tube sheets being sodisposed, transversely, as to effect a tortuous passage for the gaseousmedia circulating longitudinally through the tube nest, and means forWithdrawing air from the cold end of the portion of the tube nestpassing through the openings in the intermediate tube sheets.

17. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for con densate, a nestof cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, a

of the condenser, an intermediate main tube sheet dividing the tubenest, longitudinally, into a plurality of sections, said mainintermediate tube sheet being provided with an opening for affordinglongitudinal circulation of gaseous media through the tube nest in adirection from the warm end of the condenser toward the cold endthereof, a partial intermediate tube sheet for supporting some of thetubes passing through said opening, a second partial intermediate tubesheet for supporting the remaining tubes passing through said opening,said main intermediate, said first and said second partial tube sheetsbeing spaced from each other longitudinally and said first and secondpartial tube sheets being disposed, transversely, in staggered relation,and means for withdrawing air from the cold end of the tubes passingthrough said opening.

18. In a condenser, the combination of a shell structure having an inletfor gaseous media to be condensed and an outlet for condensate, a nestof cooling tubes extending longitudinally through the shell structure, atube sheet and an inlet water box associated with one end of the tubenest and a tube sheet and an outlet water box associated with the otherend of the tube nest, said water boxes being arranged to provide for thecirculation of cooling water in a single, longitudinal direction throughthe tube nest and said inlet Water box defining a cold end ofthe'condenser and said outlet Water box a Warm end of the condenser,main intermediate tube sheet or sheets dividing the tube nest,1ongitudinally, into a plurality of sections, a shroud extendinglongitudinally Within the shell structure and covering a group of tubesof the nest, said main intermediate tube-supporting sheet or sheetsbeing provided with an opening or openings disposed below the shroud foraffording free circulation of gaseous media from the Warm end of thecondenser toward the cold end over the group of tubes covered by theshroud, a partial intermediate tube sheet depending from the shroud andsupporting some of the tubes of said group, a second partialintermediate tube sheet depending from the shroud and supporting theremaining tubes of said group, said main intermediate tube sheet andsaid first and said second partial tube sheets being disposed,longitudinally, in spaced relation and said first and said secondpartial tube sheets being disposed, transversely, in staggered relation,and means for Withdrawing air from said group of tubes near the cold endthereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2 lth dayof October,

JOSEPH P. LIDIAK.

